These skills are set to become a greater priority for centres as employers - and increasingly universities - look for people who can take responsibility, make decisions and are flexible, adaptable and willing to learn new skills.

Key features:

• Personal, learning and thinking skills will be embedded within the curriculum and will be a requirement for candidates to achieve a Diploma.

What's happening and when

• September 2007: Framework introduced into centres.
• September 2008 onwards: Personal, learning and thinking skills embedded within the curriculum and integrated within the Diploma.

Changes to look out for

The learner account

Exams officers will record personal, learning and thinking skills achievements in a learner account as a necessary part of a candidate's Diploma qualification.